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Laura Figi

Senior Newsletter Editor

Laura Figi has called Austin home for more than 12 years and has been known to say it’s her “favorite city in the world.” A proud graduate of Texas State University, she’s been working in local news since 2020. When she’s not working and learning about the community, you can find her at the local thrift shop, spending time with her two cats, or listening to live music.

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A close-up of Willie Nelson performing
Culture
93 facts about Willie Nelson for his 93rd birthday
Celebrate the Red Headed Stranger’s birthday with a brief history of his legendary life.
April 28, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
The ornate interior of the historic Paramount Theatre in Austin. Audience members are filling the seats and the big screen on the stage displays the words "The Paramount Summer Classic Film Series" while filmmaker Robert Rodriguez speaks on stage.
Culture
Bleak Week returns during Paramount Theatre’s Summer Classic Film Series
Fans of thrilling, tear-jerking, and frightening films can watch eight films on the big screen this summer.
April 23, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
A shop interior displaying Western-themed clothing. Jackets, plaid shirts, and dresses hang neatly. Cowboy boots and shoe boxes line the shelves.
Business
Ariat celebrates Austin opening with passport crawl + block party
The western wear brand is kicking off its first Austin store by inviting local stores on the strip to party all weekend.
April 23, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
City skyline with the golden Sunsphere tower at sunset, surrounded by lush trees and modern buildings under a sky filled with soft, fluffy clouds.
Travel and Outdoors
How to protect Knoxville’s tree canopy
Knoxville aims to grow its tree canopy to 40% by 2040 — here’s what that means for residents.
April 22, 2026
 · 
London Gibson
A rooftop patio with colorful woven ottomans, wooden tables, and metal chairs, overlooking a cityscape of modern glass skyscrapers.
Culture
Little-known perks at the Austin Public Library
The services offered at local Austin Public Library branches are pretty useful in our books.
April 22, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
The Austin skyline, as seen from between trees on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail.
City
How to protect Austin’s urban forest of 42 million trees
It may be Earth Day, but we’re offering tips and tools for supporting Austin’s thriving urban forest 365 days a year.
April 21, 2026
 · 
London Gibson
A woman in a denim jacket stands smiling in a lush garden with a water fountain. The background features greenery and a mural of an eye.
Business
Good Grief: How Austinite Veronica Pulido turned tragedy into creation
The winner of Austin FC’s Dream Starter competition started an online platform to help people navigate serious illness and end-of-life care for their loved ones.
April 20, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
Cozy bookstore interior with wooden shelves filled with colorful books. Round tables hold more books and plants, creating a welcoming, tranquil atmosphere.
Small Business
Local love: CHStoday’s guide to reader-recommended small businesses
Put your money where your community is and help us create a guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local spots and sharing this page with a friend.
April 20, 2026
 · 
Callie Putnam
girlsgirlsgirls Burrito's owner and operator Sara Wood holds a blue bike in front of a colorful wall in Lexington, Kentucky
Local love: LEXtoday’s guide to reader-recommended small businesses
Put your money where your community is and help us create a guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local spots and sharing this page with a friend.
April 17, 2026
 · 
Alexis Baker
ATX_W Block of Red River_No Text.jpg
City
Red River Cultural District unveils five-year strategic enhancement plan
The Soundtrack to the Future plan outlines improvements to the venue facades, curb appeal, and safety features.
April 16, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
Downtown Austin from the east, featuring train tracks running through a busy street, lined with trees and vegetation in the foreground. Modern high-rise buildings with glass and steel facades dominate the skyline, interspersed with older, low-rise structures. Cars navigate the streets below, and traffic lights and street signs add to the busy, bustling atmosphere. Clear skies with light clouds above the city.
Culture
If Downtown is Austin’s living room, what does that make the rest of town?
Mayor Kirk Watson calls Downtown “Austin’s living room,” so we’re speculating on what that means for the rest of the city.
April 15, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
Storefront of Naughty Cat Cafe with a logo of a masked cat. Signs display "30 cats inside" and "Not a strip club," next to a neon "Open" sign.
Small Business
Local love: NOOGAtoday’s guide to reader-recommended small businesses
Put your money where your community is and help us create a guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local spots and sharing this page with a friend.
April 14, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
A vibrant mural with the text "Greetings from 78666 San Marcos" featuring illustrations of a yellow rose, a historic city hall, and other local landmarks integrated into the zip code. The mural is painted on a red wall with a small sign on the bottom right indicating sponsorship.
Play
Get in — we’re going to San Marcos, Texas
The Mermaid Capital of Texas, home to Texas State University, and riverside town is a great place to take a day trip — we’ve got all the spots to hit when you visit.
April 14, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
A chalkboard sign from Edge of Urge that says "Only you can keep the local economy thriving."
Local love: RALtoday’s growing guide to reader-recommended small businesses
Help us create a growing guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local makers, restaurants, and professionals, and sharing this page with a friend.
April 9, 2026
 · 
Allie Remhof
A spaceman kite floating facing down in front of a sky filled with dozens of other kites.
Events
A brief history of Austin’s ABC Kite Fest
The ABC Kite Fest — originally called the Kite Tournament — has been an Austin staple for almost a century, providing free fun for kids and adults alike.
April 7, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
A singer and guitarist in a cowboy hat sings into a microphone with a bassist and drummer in the background.
City
Red River Cultural District announces $529 million inaugural economic impact report
The home to some of Austin’s most iconic venues, the district has generated $2.3 billion in impact in five years.
April 6, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
AVL matches
Culture
Where to collect matchbooks in Asheville
Dip your toes into “phillumeny,” aka the practice of collecting matchbooks, while you explore Asheville and support local businesses at the same time.
April 6, 2026
 · 
Grace Powers
Soda City Market-4243.png
Small Business
Local love: COLAtoday’s guide to reader-recommended small businesses
Put your money where your community is and help us create a guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local spots and sharing this page with a friend.
April 2, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_CapMetroFools
Culture
April Fools’ pranks in Austin that we almost fell for
We’ve got some jokers in the Capital City, and these pranks from local businesses almost had us fooled.
April 1, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
A bottle of Desert Door sotol on the rocky ground next to a golden easter egg and a spiky plant.
Events
Try This: Adult Easter egg hunts in Austin
Who says the kids should have all the fun? Here are four Easter egg hunts where everybunny 21 and up can relive the nostalgia.
March 31, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
Thousands of people gathered at Zilker Park, flying kites, in front of the Austin Skyline.
Events
Plan Ahead: Don’t miss these events happening in Austin
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
March 30, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_ParamountSXSW.JPG
City
ATXtoday’s takeaways from SXSW 2026
The momentous 40th anniversary of the festival brought hundreds of celebrities, dozens of premieres, thousands of steps, and some key messages to ATX in 2026.
March 26, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_ParkerScott
Business
Local love: ATXtoday’s growing guide to reader-recommended small businesses
Help us create a growing guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local makers, restaurants, and professionals, and sharing this page with a friend.
March 25, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
A softly lit room set up for a yoga class with green yoga mats.
Business
Shop around the block: LOUtoday’s guide to reader-recommended small businesses
Put your money where your community is and help us create a guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local spots and sharing this page with a friend.
March 24, 2026
 · 
Declan Lowthian
A yellow little free library outside of the flagship Kendra Scott store.
Business
Meet the Austin founders on Inc.’s 2026 Female Founders 500
This year’s national list includes 14 entrepreneurs behind local companies — from dating apps to jewelry to nutrition.
March 23, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
A gated pool and palm tree within the Welcome Canary apartment complex courtyard.
Real Estate
How does renting in Lakeland compare to Polk County?
We’re diving into the average cost to rent in Lakeland compared to nearby cities.
March 23, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
A turquoise wall at ONETACO features a framed photo of Guy Fieri on the left and a stencil-style graffiti portrait of him in blue and yellow on the right. The graffiti includes his signature, the phrase "Guy Fieri was here," and the Food Network logo. Below the artwork is a red-walled hallway lined with framed sports jerseys.
Food
14 hot spots where celebrities like to eat and party in Austin
We know Austin has an exquisite culinary scene, and apparently celebrities do too, because they’re all over town visiting the city’s famous restaurants and hidden gems.
March 19, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_LuckPotluckWillieNelsonPerformance2026
Culture
Inside the annual Potluck dinner, fundraiser, and concert at Luck Ranch
Warning: Setting foot on Lunch Ranch may make you want to never leave.
March 18, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
A table set at an outdoor restaurant with a bowl of whipped cheese topped with diced tomatoes, herbs, and nuts, accompanied by pieces of toasted flatbread. Three cocktails are in the background: a pale yellow drink in a wine glass with a sprig of thyme, a dark espresso martini in a coupe glass, and a pink beverage in a tall glass with a black straw. The setting features wicker chairs, a potted plant, and natural light streaming through open windows.
Play
40+ great brunch restaurants to try in Austin
Check out these brunch restaurants, cafes, and diners in town, serving a variety of egg dishes, mimosas, micheladas, and more.
March 17, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
A large group of musicians and performers, including Willie Nelson, on stage under bright lights, with a neon sign reading "Luck" in the background. Some artists are seated playing guitars, while others stand with brass instruments, singing or engaging with the audience. The crowd in the foreground raises hands and takes photos.
Culture
Inside Luck Reunion, Willie Nelson’s Americana music festival
The annual celebration of live music and cosmic cowboy vibes is known to sell out quickly, and for good reason.
March 16, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
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